Strap on Some Bluto Protection with new Beaver Guard Fat Bike Fender

Written by Zach Overholt Dec 08, 2014 2:25 p.m. ET

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We’re pretty convinced at this point that suspension for fat bikes is a good thing, but it brings up a few potential concerns. One of those issues centers around the durability of the fork seals. By nature, a fat bike is pretty much guaranteed to see more slop and muck than the average bike – not to mention road salt.

As you would imagine, those monstrous tires also have equally impressive spray, flinging mud, snow, and sand everywhere. Conceived by Chris Lalonde after his own sloppy experiences on his Bluto equipped fat bike, the Beaver Guard is similar to a number of other front fenders but specifically built for the RockShox Bluto.

After a few super muddy rides of our own (don’t worry, no trails were harmed), something like the new Beaver Guard Fat Bike Fender seems like it should be standard equipment. Selling for just $15 plus shipping, you’re going to want the details after the jump…

Owing its name to the beaver tail like shape of the guard, the fender has been undergoing multiple design revisions to offer the best protection and fit. Christian mentions he noticed a lot of mud and ice build up on his fork stanchions, seals, fork crown, headset after rides so he wanted to make something that would fit the Bluto as well as the 4.8″ tires.

Cut from flexible weather resistant plastic, the guard is capable of withstanding plenty of winter riding abuse. Installing to the fork with 4 included zip ties, the Beaver Guard provides spray coverage for everything north of the stanchions. The clearance on a Bluto running a Surly Bud 4.8″ tire on an 80mm rim is already pretty tight, but the Beaver Guard fits.

Version 1 at the top has evolved into version 2 shown here on Christian’s bike with the CrankBrothers sticker. Now a bit longer and wider for even better coverage, the fender is going into production and will likely have Beaver Guard branding.

Fenders are currently available for pre-order with the price set at $15 plus shipping. Chris says they will start production in the next couple of weeks with fenders shipping out shortly after that. Pre-orders can be made by emailing beaverguardfatbike@gmail.com.

BeaverGuardFatbike

Zach Overholt

5,630 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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19 Comments

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Velo

9 years ago

Fat bikes don’t go fast enough to need fenders.

-1

Trail Notzi

9 years ago

“Conceived by Chris Lalonde”

Shouldn’t this say “Adapted from existing designs for fat bikes by Chris Lalonde”? Kind of an insult to the actual inventor(s).

Sean

9 years ago

Great idea

TheFunkyMonkey

9 years ago

I guess Marsh Guard and/or Mucky Nuttz didn’t see enough $$$ in the fat bike market that allowed Mr. Lalonde to “conceive” this new accessory…

Sean

9 years ago

Well exactly, neither of those other two companies made one so he did, adapting the concept to the size required. I understand he’s looking to make a version for rigid forks too.

I know where we ride we are on frozen ground and light snow currently but still crossing some flowing water, slush, etc. A little protection seems like a good idea.

-s

9 years ago

Beaver Guard is a poor name choice. Why would one want to keep the beaver off of them?

Tom Basic

9 years ago

Never, never, never ride anything that you do not consider completely disposable on salted roads. Or, along an ocean beach.

Gunnstein

9 years ago

Such fenders where not readily available when I got my fatbike, so I made my own, for the fork, downtube, and rear wheel. I used plastic “paper folders” (not sure about the term) from a stationery shop. Cut to shape, and fold/bend as needed to give it a stiff shape. Make holes, attach with zip ties, done. Use black plastic to make the DIY less visible. Use reusable zip ties to make the fenders easily removeable if you want. Simple and works well.

Mindless

9 years ago

“Beaver guard”? Seriously?

Alex K

9 years ago

Do you have a beaverphobe in your family? If so, this is the perfect gift. Also, the first google result for beaverphobe is fairly amusing.

gringo

9 years ago

Beaver Guard.™
Keeps the mank off.

Guaranteed.

Jimmy

9 years ago

I was out riding one night and found a beaver blocking the trail (read, I nearly ran over a beaver) it looked at me in disgust, possibly blinded by my lights before plodding off into the water, slapping its fender like beaver tail (™ SKS?) down with a loud splash as it did so. True story.

Nelson Muntz

9 years ago

$15?
You could just go here…..buy 10 for $36
http://stores.ebay.com/poolside-workshop/_i.html?_nkw=fender&submit=Search&_sid=1101016449

jeff

9 years ago

Maybe I’m not getting it, but shouldn’t the fender be off the tire a little more and the fender be longer to kept the mud, road salt, etc off the bike? I see it keeping some mud off the fork crown, but also see it getting jammed with mud. I prefer to use a downtube mounted fender when i ride in such conditions.

DeeEight

9 years ago

Did Mucky Nutz ever actually GET their patent (that they’ve claimed as pending since at least 2008-09) for this type of flexible fork fender? Also there’s an american on mtbr in the weight weenie forum claiming to have filed for a patent for a ultra light weight flexi-fender using a type of laser printer compatible plastic paper instead of the thin plastic sheets mucky nutz are made with.

Sean

9 years ago

This mostly just keeps the slush and gunk off the fork stanchions. Short to keep it out of the way. You can use it in combination with a downtube style fender like the PDW shovel to keep it off yourself too.

Those other ones, 10 for $36, are not wide enough for a Bluto

andri

9 years ago

what fatbike is that?

DeeEight

9 years ago

Motobecane something or other.

Brian

8 years ago

Those ones from Taiwan are no where near wide enough for a fat bike.

Ordered front and rear Beaver Guards for my Trek Farley 8 and glad I did. Front does a fair job at protecting the bluto while keeping some mud off the frame. Rear does a great job at keeping mud and dirt off my seat post dropper shaft.

Would buy again.